Geminga is a neutron star so small it was difficult to detect. It was named, in part, for a transcription of gh’è minga, meaning “it’s not there.”
With Geminga: $500 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art, Sunspot Lit honors the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. Word limit is 100 for fiction and nonfiction. Micropoetry is limited to 140 characters. Graphic novels should be 4 pages or less.
Titles are not included in the word count. Compound words separated by hyphens, numbers, and letters of the alphabet are counted as a single word. In the micropoetry category, characters include spaces, punctuation, numbers, and letters of the alphabet.
Visual art entries should be paintings, drawings, or sketches no larger than 25 inches square. Sculptural forms should be no larger than 25 inches in any dimension (length, height, or width).
Open: January 1, 2023
Close: March 31, 2023
Entry fee: $10
Prize: $500 cash, publication for the winner, publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion, as well as in the annual fall print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Enter through Sunspot’s Submittable form or through Duotrope.
The Goldilocks Zone appears wherever conditions make a planet habitable. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel or novella excerpt, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that combines excellence in craft with reader or audience appeal, and thus falls into the Goldilocks Zone. Literary or genre works accepted.
First prize is $200 plus publication. Runners-up and finalists are offered publication. No restrictions on theme or category. Maximum of 2,500 words for short stories or nonfiction, 24 lines for poetry, and 8 pages for graphic novels. No size requirements for painting, photography, video stills or sculpture, although each entry is limited to one image.
Open: October 1, 2022
Close: December 19, 2022
Entry fee: $9.50
Prize: $200 cash and publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion, as well as in the annual print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Enter through Sunspot’s Submittable form.
Beginnings have the power to spark passion or curiosity. They might immediately connect a specific place and time with an emotional tone. The best openings offer a feeling, atmosphere, action, or image that is gripping, and hints at more to come. Meaning, thoughtfulness, emotions, or tone draw audiences into the moment.
A poem handles this differently than a flash piece, which handles an opening differently than a novel. The first photo, painting or frame presented in a gallery, series, or graphic novel strives for the same intent. Openings contain a spark that promises to burn.
For Sunspot Lit’s Inception contest, send your best opening. There are no restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece or collection from which the excerpt comes. Word limit is 250 for prose, 25 words for poetry.
Graphic novel and comic book entries should be the first page (unlimited number of panels on that page) with a maximum of 250 words (cut the number of panels in order to meet the word count, if needed).
Visual art entries should be the first in a series, the first in a gallery lineup, the first in a themed collection, etc. Entries are limited to one image.
Open: July 1, 2022
Close: September 30, 2022
Entry fee: $8.50
Prize: $250 cash plus publication for the winner.
Publication will be offered to runners-up and finalists. Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable or Duotrope, but only one piece per submission. Submission files that contain multiple pieces will be disqualified without review. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Rigel is the brightest star in the Orion constellation. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel, novella, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that outshines all the rest.
Rigel offers $250 plus publication to the winner, and offers publication to select finalists. No restrictions on theme or category. The length for prose is restricted to a maximum of 5,000 words for short stories, or ten pages for poetry and graphic novels. Excerpts should always be from the beginning of a longer work, and should include a synopsis. The synopsis counts toward the entry’s total word/page count. Artwork should consist of a single piece.
Any novels, novellas, or graphic novels selected as the winner or as finalists will be offered publication only for the submitted sample.
Open: April 1, 2022
Close: June 30, 2022
Entry fee: $6
Prize: $250 cash and publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion, as well as in the annual print edition. Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period. Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Enter through Sunspot’s Submittable form or through their Duotrope page.
Geminga is a neutron star so small it was difficult to detect. It was named, in part, for a transcription of gh’è minga, meaning “it’s not there.”
Sunspot Lit set up Geminga: $250 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art to honor the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. Word limit is 100 for fiction and nonfiction. Micropoetry is limited to 140 characters.
Titles are not included in the word count. Compound words separated by hyphens, numbers, and letters of the alphabet are counted as a single word. In the micropoetry category, characters include spaces, punctuation, numbers, and letters of the alphabet.
Visual art entries should be paintings, drawings, or sketches no larger than 25 inches square. Sculptural forms should be no larger than 25 inches in any dimension (length, height, or width).
Open: January 1, 2022
Close: March 31, 2022
Entry fee: $5
Prize: $250 cash, publication for the winner, publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion, as well as in the annual fall print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Enter through Sunspot’s Submittable form.
Endings carry a heavy weight. They must bring all the disparate elements of a poem, work of prose, or art series together while also proving an exit point that will smolder in the reader’s or viewer’s mind.
Culmination: $500 for a Prose, Poem, or Art Ending has no restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece from which the ending is excerpted. Word limit is 250 for prose, 25 words for poetry.
Graphic novel entries should be the last page with a maximum of 250 words; cut the number of panels to meet the word count, if necessary.
Visual art entries should be the last in a series, gallery lineup, or themed collection. Artists may use up to 250 words to describe the series, lineup or collection.
Titles are not included in the word count.
Open: October 1, 2021
Close: December 15, 2021
Entry fee: $10
Prize: $500 cash, publication for the winner, publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is accepted for publication elsewhere before the winner is announced.
Visit our Submittable page to enter.
Beginnings have the power to spark passion or curiosity. They might immediately connect a specific place and time with an emotional tone. The best openings offer a feeling, atmosphere, action, or image that is gripping, and that hints at more to come.
Meaning, thoughtfulness, emotions, or shadings of tone ... that is, connection ... are the impulses that draw audiences into the moment. A poem handles this differently than a flash piece, which handles an opening differently than a novel. The first photo, painting or frame presented in a gallery, series, or graphic novel strives for the same intent. Openings contain a spark that promises to burn.
For Sunspot Lit’s 2021 Inception contest, send your best opening. There are no restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece or collection from which the beginning comes. Word limit is 250 for prose, 25 words for poetry.
Graphic novel and comic book entries should be the first page (unlimited number of panels on that page) with a maximum of 250 words (cut the number of panels in order to meet the word count, if needed). Visual art entries should be the first in a series, the first in a gallery lineup, the first photo in a themed collection, etc. Entries are limited to one image with up to 250 words to describe the series, lineup or collection.
Open: July 1, 2021 (submit here)
Close: September 30, 2021
Entry fee: $10
Prize: $500 cash, publication for the winner, publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
In addition to receiving the cash prize, the winner will be published. Select finalists will have the chance to be published. Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Rigel is the brightest star in the Orion constellation. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel, novella, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that outshines all the rest.
Rigel offers $750 plus publication to the winner, and offers publication to select finalists. No restrictions on theme or category. The length for prose is restricted to a maximum of 5,000 words for short stories, or ten pages for poetry and graphic novels. The first 5,000 words of a novel or novella should include a synopsis of the entire work (the synopsis counts toward the total word count). Artwork should consist of a single piece.
Any novels, novellas, or graphic novels selected as the winner or as finalists will be offered publication only for the submitted sample.
Open: April 1, 2021
Close: June 30, 2021
Entry fee: $5
Prize: $750 cash and publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion, as well as in the annual fall print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Enter through Sunspot’s Submittable form.
Geminga is a neutron star so small it was difficult to detect. It was named, in part, for a transcription of gh’è minga, meaning “it’s not there.”
For 2021, Sunspot Lit is launching Geminga: $500 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art to honor the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. Word limit is 100 for fiction and nonfiction. Micropoetry is limited to 140 characters.
Titles are not included in the word count. Compound words separated by hyphens, numbers, and letters of the alphabet are counted as a single word. In the micropoetry category, characters include spaces, punctuation, numbers, and letters of the alphabet.
Visual art entries should be paintings, drawings, or sketches no larger than 25 inches square. Sculptural forms should be no larger than 25 inches in any dimension (length, height, or width).
Open: January 1, 2021
Close: March 31, 2021
Entry fee: $6
Prize: $500 cash, publication for the winner, publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Enter through Sunspot’s Submittable form.
Endings carry a heavy weight. They must bring all the disparate elements of a poem, work of prose, or art series together while also proving an exit point that will smolder in the reader’s or viewer’s mind.
This year, Sunspot Lit is launching Culmination: $500 for a Prose, Poem, or Art Ending. No restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece from which the ending is excerpted. Word limit is 250 for prose, 25 words for poetry.
Graphic novel entries should be the last page with a maximum of 250 words; cut the number of panels to meet the word count, if necessary.
Visual art entries should be the last in a series, gallery lineup, or themed collection. Artists may use up to 250 words to describe the series, lineup or collection.
Titles are not included in the word count.
Open: October 1, 2020
Close: December 31, 2020
Entry fee: $5
Prize: $500 cash, publication for the winner, publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Visit our Submittable page to enter.
Beginnings have the power to spark passion or curiosity. They might immediately connect a specific place and time with an emotional tone. The best offer a feeling, atmosphere, action, or image that is gripping.
Too often in commercially driven industries, this results in sensationalism. But meaning, thoughtfulness, emotions, or shadings of tone...that is, connection...are the impulses that draw audiences into the moment. A poem handles this differently than a flash piece, which handles an opening differently than a novel. The first photo, painting or frame presented in a gallery, series, or collection strives for the same intent. Openings contain a spark that promises to continue to burn.
For Sunspot Lit’s 2020 Inception contest, send your best opening. There are no restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece or collection from which the beginning comes. Word limit is 250 for prose, 25 words for poetry.
Graphic novel entries should be the first page (unlimited number of panels on that page) with a maximum of 250 words...so, cut the number of panels in order to meet the word count, if needed.
Visual art entries should be the first in a series, the first in a gallery lineup, the first photo in a themed collection, etc. Art entries are limited to one image with up to 250 words to describe the series, lineup or collection.
For 2020, the entry fee has been reduced due to COVID’s economic impact.
Open: July 1, 2020 (submit here)
Close: September 30, 2020
Entry fee: $5
Prize: $250 cash, publication for the winner, publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
In addition to receiving the cash prize, the winner will be published. Select finalists will have the chance to be published. Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Sunspot Lit's previous contests allowed visual artists to submit alongside authors. The journal received such powerful entries that this contest was adjusted to allow artists to enter it, as well.
Prize is $100 cash and publication for one winner, and the chance to be published as a finalist.
All forms of prose are accepted: poetry, plays, stories, essays, memoirs, travel pieces, opinions, genre works, rants...just keep it to 100 words or less.
Artists are also welcome to submit. Instead of submitting 100 words, utilize a title of up to 10 words for your photo, digital art, painting, or other work. All art finalists will be considered for use on the cover of the next edition, so you might end up with the stipend offered for cover artwork even if you don't win the contest.
Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Submit as many times as you like through Submittable. One piece per submission.
The entry fee supports the magazine, stipends for contributors, and other expenses.
Entry fee is $5.
Opens April 1, 2020.
Contest closes on June 30, 2020 at midnight EST.
You’ll have 1,000 words to describe why using any form of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. If you feel the word speaks for itself, your description can simply state that fact.
Artwork is also accepted for this prize. Submit one image and up to 250 words describing the artwork’s relationship to the single word.
Since English doesn’t always convey exact shades of meaning, the word you select can be in any language. A definition written in English will be required, and the definition will count toward the total word count of the description. The description must also be in English.
For the first edition of this contest in 2019, the prize was $50. In 2020, the prize has increased to $500.
In addition to receiving the cash prize, the winner will be published. Select finalists will have the chance to be published. Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.
Entry fee is $10.
Opens January 1, 2020.
Closes March 31, 2020 at midnight EST.
Selected as one of Reedsy's Best Writing Contests in 2019.
Sunspot Literary Journal wants your best fiction, nonfiction, or poetry opening. No restrictions on theme, category, or length of the piece from which the beginning is excerpted.
Length for the entry: Up to 250 words for prose. Up to 25 words for poetry.
In addition to receiving the cash prize, the winner will be published. Select finalists will have the chance to be published. Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Cash award of $250 for the winner.
Entry fee; $8.50
Opens August 1, 2019. Closing October 31, 2019.
Link here to enter.
Microfiction, micro essay, micro memoir, short poem, micro script, micro screenplay...if it's 100 words or less, it might be worth $100. No restrictions on theme or category.
In addition to receiving the cash prize, the winner will be published. Select finalists will have the chance to be published. Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Enter as many times as you like. One piece per submission. Pieces must be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Work can have won other awards without being disqualified. Cash award of $100.
Entry fee: $5
Open March 1, 2019
Closes: June 30, 2019
Link here to submit.
Words are important. Words are so powerful that certain ones have been weaponized to use against specific groups of people.
C*nt is one of many, but in the world today, it is more incendiary than ever. Submit a story, essay, poem, or art piece that tells us about c*nt in your life: When did you first encounter the word? Have you taken on this word and ones like it as a rallying cry? Have you ever used it to refer to someone else?
Send us your rants, your ribald comedy, a poem, or a photo that cuts to the core. You do not have to use the word within your submission as long as you are conjuring the essence of some element of this word and its use. All categories of work are accepted.
In addition to receiving the cash prize, the winner will be published. Select finalists will have the chance to be published. Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
The best of the best will receive $50.
Entry fee: $5
Opens: January 1, 2019
Closes: March 31, 2019
Link here to submit.
Sunspot Literary Journal launched this year, and needs an image that can be used on the digital and print editions as well as the website.
Submit your best idea for an image that fits with our mission: Hearing Every Voice, Changing the World Through Words.
Poke around our website for details on our approach. Then submit your best idea.
Submit as many times as you like to this contest. In addition to receiving the cash prize, the winner will be published. Select finalists will have the chance to be published. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition.
Entry fee: $5
Opens: January 1, 2019
Deadline: March 31, 2019
Link here to review the guidelines and submit.
Sunspot Literary Journal supports the CLMP Code of Ethics in its contests.
CLMP’s community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines—defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.
Sunspot will avoid conflicts of interest when judging entries. Specifically, family members (including domestic partners) of the journal's staff are excluded from participation.
Acquaintance alone (former clients or students, known associates, etc.) does not disqualify any submission. In instances where a contest submission is recognized by any of the judges, including preliminary and final judges, that piece will be judged by an individual without any connection to the submitting artist.
In the rare case of a tie, the cash prize along with any non-cash prizes (like copies of the journal or special attention on the website) will be doubled, and the full prize amount and coverage will be given to each of the winners.
In no case will a cash prize be withheld due to a low number of submissions or a "lack of quality" of submissions. Cash prizes will be awarded in every case.
Copyright © 2019 Sunspot Lit - All Rights Reserved.